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About

Staff

Our Staff

Executive Staff

Berkley Jackson

Program Coordinator and Coach

Email: berkley@thefirstteerva.org

Berkley serves as the Program Coordinator for The First Tee of Greater Richmond and is responsible for the implementation, strategy and oversight of all youth and volunteer programs and initiatives. She is a First Tee Level II Coach and Operation36 certified. Berkley received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Public Administration from Liberty University.

Emily Elliott, MBA, MA

VP of Programming

Email: emily@thefirstteerva.org

Emily serves as our Vice President of Programming for The First Tee of Greater Richmond by leading the programming team to fulfill strategic organizational objectives. She is responsible for creating, establishing and leading the execution of strategies to maximize participation, retention and progression of The First Tee of Greater Richmond’s participants.

Serving as a private school principal, elementary school teacher and entrepreneur of her own business, she comes to us with significant experience in both people management and education. Emily earned her undergraduate degree at California State University, Fresno and she holds master’s degrees from Pepperdine University in American Studies and from National University in Business Administration.

At every step of Emily’s career, she has raised the level of success and quality. Those who have worked closely with her describe her as a passionate professional who cares deeply about educating our future generation, fostering strategic engagement and support from those who work with and for her.

Brent Schneider

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Phone: (804) 378-2188Email: brent@thefirstteerva.org

Brent Schneider, a proven strategic leader, organizational builder and impassioned storyteller, has been CEO of The First Tee Greater Richmond since 2008. Through his values-based leadership, Brent is guided by purpose. At The First Tee of Greater Richmond, he came into a small start-up environment, and through best practices, attention to the little things, an entrepreneurial spirit and consistently leveraging the talent and potential of the team, he has led the organization to be a force for good. As a trusted strategist, he gets his energy by bringing multiple perspectives to the table for collaboration. He has strong business acumen and is a successful communicator with clients, boards, and employees; he believes deeply in people and the potential we all have inside of us. Before joining The First Tee of Greater Richmond, Brent was Assistant Director of Athletics at The University of Richmond where he was responsible for overseeing athletic fundraising. He served as the point person for the $25 million on-campus stadium fundraising project and was responsible for creating an overall development strategy for the athletics department.

Brent received a bachelor’s degree from Hampden-Sydney College in 1996 where he was a member of the varsity basketball team that advanced to two NCAA Division III tournaments (1994, 1995). Brent is married to his wife, Tracy, and they have one daughter. Outside of work, Brent is an avid reader and enthusiastic chef who remains committed to fitness and enjoys outdoor activities with his friends and family.

Carrie Montague

Administrative coordinator

Chris Roberts

VP of Agronomy and Golf Maintenance

Phone: (804) 271-8902Email: chris@thefirstteerva.org

Chris’ primary responsibilities as VP of Agronomy and Golf Maintenance include the day to day management and operations of both chapter facilities including development and implementation of cultural and nutritional inputs to the golf course as well as the routine maintenance of the property. Chris recruits, hires, and trains new employees and develops new skills for current employees in course management and maintenance. Prior to joining The First Tee in 2007, Chris worked at many area courses as assistant superintendent including Birkdale, Sycamore Creek, and Salisbury Country Club. He was Superintendent at Stonehenge Country Club. Chris was in the PGA Apprenticeship program in the early 90s, where he passed the Playing Ability Test and Business School 1 before returning to his first love, being on the golf course. Chris earned a Landscape and Turf Degree from The College of Life Sciences at Virginia Polytechnic Institute in 1998. Says Chris, “I have been around golf as long as I can remember. My first summer job when I was 13 was working at a local 9 hole course where I started learning about what it takes to run a golf course, from mowing greens and changing cups, to pulling carts up and keeping the pro shop clean. Golf has been a huge part of my life and I only want it to continue.” Chris and his wife Dana have two boys, Aaron and Nathan.

Ian Seymour

Assistant Golf Professional

Phone: (804) 728-3857Email: ian@thefirstteerva.org

Ian serves as the Assistant Golf Professional at the Elson Redmond Memorial Driving Range. His responsibilities include overseeing events, clinics and leagues hosted at the facility, as well as teaching youth programs and beginner golfers.

Ian grew up in Albany, NY and started playing golf at a young age. He played all throughout high school and was a member of the club golf team at Virginia Tech where he graduated with a degree in Marketing Management in 2015. Ian brings a background in business, as well as golf to the team and is excited to be pursuing his dream with a career in the golf world.

Keith Jarrell, PGA

Assistant Golf Professional

The Tattersall Youth Development Center at The First Tee Chesterfield Golf Course

Phone: (804) 275-8050
Email: keith@thefirstteerva.org

At The First Tee, Keith offers private, semi private, playing and group lessons as well as clinics. He teaches all ages, genders, golfers with disabilities and players at all levels in addition to 20 years experience in club repair and custom fitting. Prior to joining The First Tee in 2012, Keith was a Teaching Professional at Windy Hill Sports Complex, the First Assistant Golf Professional at the Pete Dye River Course of Virginia Tech, and a teaching professional at Meadowlands Golf Club in Myrtle Beach where he launched his golf career. Keith is a 2002 graduate of the Golf Academy of America known for his outstanding customer service skills, good decision making and positive attitude. Keith believes, “Everyone should experience a well struck golf shot”. Jarrell took up the game not long after meeting his wife Kay who is credited with encouraging Jarrell to follow his passion.

Kelly McAnally, M. Ed.

Senior vp of operations

Phone: (804) 378-2188 Email: kelly@thefirstteerva.org

Kelly is responsible for The First Tee of Greater Richmond’s facility operations at both the Tattersall Youth Development Center at The First Tee Chesterfield Golf Course and the Elson Redmond Memorial Driving Range. In her role, she focuses on ensuring high-quality operations at all facilities while increasing facility patronage through the development and implementation of creative and proactive initiatives. Kelly is also responsible for leading, recruiting, and developing operational staff, grounds staff, and volunteers. Before joining the team in March 2018, Kelly worked for IMG where she served as Tournament Director for LPGA events, most recently the Thornberry Creek LPGA Classic in Green Bay, WI. She received her undergraduate degree in Business Administration from Longwood University where she was a member of the women’s golf team. She earned her Masters of Education in Sport Leadership at VCU.

Madison Medlin, M. Ed.

SENIOR Director of Marketing & Events

Phone: (804) 378-2188Email: madison@thefirstteerva.org

Madison drives brand awareness for The First Tee of Greater Richmond through inclusive community-driven strategies such as special events and targeted marketing campaigns. This role includes management of digital media, social media, public relations, and communications. Madison also oversees some development administration with event sponsorship acquisition. Before joining the staff full-time in November 2014, Madison interned with The First Tee for over a year concentrating on marketing and events. She kept interest in the golf industry by working Masters Tournaments 2012-2017 in Augusta, Georgia under a host of roles that included banquet events, general membership services, and a la carte food services. Madison graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Sports Management from the University of South Carolina in 2014. She received her Masters of Education from the Center for Sport Leadership at VCU in December 2017. Madison married Lane Medlin in April 2017.

Mark Lynch, PGA Apprentice

director of golf

Mark Lynch joined The First Tee of Greater Richmond as Director of Golf at The Elson Redmond Memorial Driving Range (School Street Site) in March 2016. Mark has spent his last 11 years serving our Country as a Soldier and Officer in the United States Army. Most recently, Mark served as Company Commander, A Company, 202nd Military Intelligence Battalion where he led a dynamic company comprised of over 80 people focused on providing human intelligence collection and analysis to support multiple commands throughout the Middle East. Prior to being promoted to Captain, Mark served as a Battalion Intelligence Officer, 3rd Battalion, 10th Special Forces Group in Fort Carson, CO as well as in Counterintelligence and Human Intelligence as a Team Leader Combine Joint Task Force in the Horn of Africa. Mark’s dream is to be in the world of golf. In his role, he will run the day to day operations at The Elson Redmond Memorial Driving Range, while pursuing his PGA of America certification as well as be part of The First Tee Coaching program.

Michaela Conway, PGA Apprentice

Assistant Golf Professional

Email: michaela@thefirstteerva.org

Michaela Conway joined the staff of The First Tee of Greater Richmond in June of 2018. Born and raised in Chesterfield, Michaela has been playing golf for 20 years. After competing in numerous national and international tournaments, Michaela received a scholarship from Lincoln Memorial University in Harrogate, Tennessee where she played collegiate golf and graduated with a degree in Business Administration and Professional Golf Management. Prior to The First Tee, Michaela was an Assistant Golf Professional at Hermitage Country Club in Manakin Sabot, Virginia where she managed the Senior Men’s Golf Association as well as the Junior Golf program. She currently is the VSGA Junior Golf Circuit Coordinator for the Richmond Region Area.

Scott Whirley

DIRECTOR OF turf equipment

Email: scott@thefirstteerva.org

Scott has been employed in the golf industry for 27 years. He worked at Birkdale Country Club, the Country Club of Virginia, and the Highlands before coming to The First Tee where he has been for the past 17 years. Scott is has been married to his wife Jennifer for 18 years and they have one son.

Sterling Simmons

PLAYER DEVELOPMENT INSTRUCTOR

Email: sterling@thefirstteerva.org

As the Player Development Instructor for The First Tee of Greater Richmond, Sterling is responsible for the instruction within the Player Development Academy powered by Op36 at both the Tattersall Youth Development Center and The Elson Redmond Memorial Driving Range. Sterling uses the Operation36 platform to help golfers from ages 5-17 lower their scores and shoot even par, 36, for 9 holes. In 2013, Sterling graduated The First Tee Life Skills Experience program as a participant and became a PLAYer for life. He has also coached Life Skills Experience Golf Classes for five years and served two internship with the organization. After graduating from Cosby High School in 2014, Sterling went to Old Dominion University where he graduated with a bachelor in science and administration in 2018. During his four years at Old Dominion he played on the club golf team and also coached a local high school golf team.

The First Tee’s Reach

Our chapter is one of many in The First Tee network. The First Tee is reaching young people in all 50 states and select international locations on golf courses, in elementary schools and through other youth-serving organizations.